Road machine



'April 21,1936. Q A, GUSTAFSQN 2,037,720

ROAD MACHINE Original Filed April 27, 193]. 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1936- c. A. GusTAFsoN 2,037,720

` ROAD MACHINE original Filed April 2v, 1931 7 sheets-sheet 2 C nn A. GasTnFsoN A135121, 1936 c. A. GusTAr-soN l 2,037,720 I ROAD MACHINE original Filedpril 2v, 1931 7 rsums-snm 3 K' Arromv` Aprilrzl, 1936. A GUSTAFSON 2,037,720 f ROAD MACHINE Original Filed Aprilv 27, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVENTOR. CARL. H. Gus-mrsoN l-MM' ATTORNJ Aprilv 21, 1936. c. A. Gus'rAFsoN ROAD MACHINE original Filed April 27, 1931 7 sheets-sheet` 5 INVENTOR. CARL. H. GusmFsoN A TTORNT April 21, 1936,. c, A, GUSTAFSQN 2,037,720

` ROAD MACHINE l Or'iginalFiled April 27, 1931 TSheeLS-Sheet 6 zii ` INVENTOR. CARL. H. Gusvn FsoN W1 NORME/if April 21, 1936. c. A, GUSTAFSON 2,037,720

ROAD MACHINE Original F-led April 27, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. CARI. Fl. GusmFsoN Patented Api'.` 21, 1936 UNITED STATE ROAD MACHINE Carl A. Gustafson, Peoria, Ill., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San poration of California Leandro,y Calif., a cororiginai application April 27, 1931, serial No 533,179. 1933, Serial N0. 673,194

10 Claims.

My invention relates to road machines and particularly to graders, this application being a division of my application Serial No. 533,179, filed April 27, 1931, and entitled Road machine.

It is an object of the invention lto provide an earth-working machine in which the earth-engaging tool is capable of a wide range of adjustments, is flexible in use, and designed to be easily controlled by the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a road machine having means for positioning an earth-engaging tool to make a high-angle cut including means for tilting the wheels with respect to the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a road machine having means for positioning an earth-engaging tool to make a high-angle cut including' means for adjusting a wheeled support ytransversely with respect to the road machine frame.

Otherobjects will appear as the 'description progresses.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the rear end on 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 to 5 illustrate the construction of the front end. f

Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

Fig. 4 isa right lside elevation from line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 5-5 of Fig.- 3.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate the construction of the rear end. t

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation from line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 'l is a section of a detail 'on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal plan.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section of a portion'o'f the adjusting mechanism on line 9-9 of Figs. 1 and 10.

Fig. 10 is ahorizontal section of a portion of une `'the adjusting mechanism on line Ill- I0 of Fig. 9.

4Frame (sheets-1 to s) The frame of the machine is substantially'symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, and includes two side channels Ill, II, which exl tend substantially the length of the machine and channels I0, II. Angle I3 at the front edgegof .lower edge of plate 25. To the rear ends of exbetween angles;

Divided and this application May 27,

plate I2 is riveted to plate I2 and to side channels I0, II. Beneath plate I2 is bracket I4 having central horizontal portion I5 provided with boss I6, and having vertically'extending `portions I1, I8, which are riveted inside the forward ends of side channels IIJ, I I, respectively.

At the rearend of the machine (Figs. 1, 2 6 and 8), side channels I0, II are bent downwardly and rearwardly, and plate 25 is secured to their under sides. Upper edge of plate 25 is reinforced by angle 26. Pairs of angle extensions 21, 28 are secured to the ends of side channels I0, II, respectively, by brackets 29, 30, respectively, by plates 3|, 32, and by straps 33. T- bar 34 has its ends overlapping straps 33, and is secured to the tensions 21, 28 is secured angle 35. Vertical posts 36, 31 are secured to the inner sides of side chan# nels I0, II, respectively, and serve to support a portion of theblade-lifting mechanism. Channel 38 is secured to the lower ends of posts 36, 31;*and in addition to reinforcingthe framework serves in conjunction With inverted U-br'acket 39 to support platform 48, the forward edge 4I of which extends through' aperture 42 in plate vv25.A A framework, consisting of bar 43 secured to post 31, bars 44, 45 secured to angle 35 and interconf nected by ystrap 46, supports part of themechanism for tilting therear wheels.

In the central portion of the machine above the blade (Figs. 1 and 2) `the ends of a pair of spaced apart angles 41,'48 are secured to the top faces of 'side channels I0, II andthe connections are reinforced by gussets 49, 50 and angles 5I, 52. Angles 41, 48 also serve to support part of the blade lifting mechanism. The end of a. pair of spaced apart angles 53, 54 are secured to the bottom faces of side channels I0, II beneathangles 41, 48; the central web of T-bar 55 is interposed Q53, 54 and is secured thereto. Angles 53, 54 il T-bar 55 support the center shift mechanis" The'central portion ofA side4 channels I0, II are further reinforced by angles 56, 51 which are secured to the inner lower edges thereof and extend rearwardly to posts 36, 31 to which they are also secured. y

Intermediate the front end` and the central cross members (Fig. 1), is cross member v58 which is fabricated, having a substantially 'I-beam cross section and end ilanges for securing it to side channels I0, II. The connections of cross lmem- 4ber 58 withthe side` channels is reinforced by Ygussets 6I, 62. Cross member 58 also serves as a support for part of the compensating spring mechanism fully disclosed. in my above noted application.

To obtain rigidity and to prevent Weaving, diagonal braces 63,4 64, 65, 66, 61, 68 are employed, as shown in Fig. 1. Cross pieces 69, 10, 1| are connected to side channels 0, to provide supports for adjusting mechanisms.

Front wheels (Sheets 1, 3, 4 and 5) (100 series numerals) Front wheels |00, |0| (Fig. 3) are journaled on spindles `which are integral with bell-cranks |02, |03, pivoted at |04, |05, in angles |06 (Fig. 4) which comprise the front axle. Upwardly converging channels |01, |08 are secured at their lower ends to angles |06 and at their upper ends to casting |09, having boss |0 (Fig. 5) apertured at and contacting the under side of boss I6 in the horizontal portion |5 of frame bracket |4. Aperture is defined by a -vertically arcuate wall of boss |0 for a purpose later described.

Hollow kingbolt ||2 passes freely through aperture and is supported in -boss I6 through which it passes, and at I| 3, ||4 in housing 5 which is provided with flange ||6 for attachment to plate I2 of the main frame. Nut ||2 is threaded to the lower end of kingbolt |2 and is adapted to be locked thereon. Nut ||2' on kingbolt I|2 is spaced below the bottom of boss ||0 to allow oscillation in vertical planes of the front wheel is of larger diameter than kingbolt 4||2 and isv definedby a vertically arcuate wall. The front axle and wheels also pivot on the vertical axis of the kingbolt.

'I'he front wheels can be tilted with respect to the front axle by rocking bell-cranks |02, |03 (Fig.`3) on their pivots |04, |05. For this purpose the upstanding arms ||1, ||8 of bell-cranks |02,

|03 are pivotally connected to shift 'bar ||9. Movement of shift bar ||9 will impart equi-angular oscillations to the bell-cranks. To facilitate operation of shift bar |9, a strap |20 is pivotally connected to axle |06 and lug |2| secured to the shift bar.

To operate shift bar ||9, sector |22 is secured thereto and meshes with pinion |23 (Fig. 4) on shaft |24 journaled in housing |25 and provided with worm gear |26 (Fig. 3) which is rotated by Worm |21 on shaft |21', also journaled in housing |25. Housing |25-has a portion which extends downwardly to t between angles |06 to which it is secured by bolts.

Shaft |28 (Fig. 5) passes through hollow kingbolt I2 and is operatively connected to worm |21 by an extensible driving connection comprising square shaft |29 telescopicallyengaging within hollow square sleeve |30. Sleeve |30 has a universal connection-13| with shaft |28, and shaft |29 has a universal connection |32 withworm shaft |21. Rotation of shaft 28 effects rotation of worm ,|21, worm wheel |26, shaft |24, pinion |23, to shift bar ||9 to tilt the wheels. T'he extensible universal connection between shaft |28 and worm |21 enables the shift bar to be operated in al1 positions of the wheels and axle with respect to the frame.

Shaft |28 (Fig. 5) has bevel gear |33 keyed to its upper end and retained thereon. Bevel gear |33 is journaled at |34 in housing |35 which fits the reduced upper end portion of kingbolt ||2 and is secured thereto by means of `lock bolt |36.

Bevel gear |33 is driven by bevel pinion |31 keyed to shaft |38 which is journaled atl |39 in housing |35 and is provided with sleeve |40 received in housing |35 at |4|. Shaft |38 is retained in place in housing |35 by means of nut |42 and yoke |43, which is secured to shaft |38 and forms part of universal joint Aconnection |44, the4 other yoke |45 of which is secured to shaft |46. The rear end of shaft |46 is supported at |41 (Fig. 1) in support 69, where it is connected by universal joint |48 to telescopic shaft |49 which is connected by universal' joint |50 to stub shaft |5| (Fig. 10) journaled in housing |52 secured to support 10. Within housing |52, shaft |5| has secured thereto gear |53 which is adapted to be driven by pinion |54 splined on sleeve |55 to which operating crank |56 is secured. Pinion |54 is adapted to be driven by sleeve |55 and to be axially adjusted thereon for a purpose hereinafter described. When pinion |54 is in mesh with gear |53, rotation of crank |56 causes tilting ofthe front wheels.

Rear wheels (Sheets 1, 2, 5 and 6) (200 series numerals) Rear wheels 200, 20| (Fig. 6) are journaled on spindlesintegral with bell-cranks 202, 203 pivoted'at`204, 205 in lbrackets 206, '201 (Fig. 8) se curedl to the ends of I-beam 208. Angles 209, 2|0 are riveted along the lower outside edges of I- beam zus and are joined at thirends 2| l, m, 2|3, 2|4, to brackets 2 06, 201 by welding to provide continuous flanges along the bottom edges of the axle for cooperation with guides 2|5, 2|6, 2|1,2| 8 on main frame extensions 21, 28'. v

Rear axle 208 is transversely adjustable with respect to the main frame. For this purpose rack 2 |'9 (Fig. 7) is securedjo the rear face of I-beam 208 and pinion 220 is arranged to mesh therewith. Pinion 220 is operated in Iunison with worm gear 22 Shaft 222 on which they are secured is journaled in housing 223 which has a depending portion 224 secured to the upstanding web of frame angle 35. Worm gear 22| (Fig. 8) is driven by worm 225. Worm shaft 226 is journaled in housing 223 and is operated by crank 221. Axle 208 4can be shifted transversely of the main frame by operation of crank 221.

The rear wheels can be tilted with respect to fthe rear axle. For t *qpprpose the upstanding Pinion shaft'v234 is journaled in housing cured to the shaft. Worm 231 meshes with wormV gear 236 and Worm shaft 238 is also journaled in housing 235. Rotation of worm 231 causes bar 230 to be shifted to tilt the wheels with respect to the axle.

Worm 231 is operated by crank 239 whose shaft 240 is journaled in housing 24| supported on framework 43, 44, 45. Secured to shaft 240 within housing 24| is bevel pinion 242 which drives gear 243, the latter being secured to a short vertical shaft 244, the lower end of which is connected by universal joint 245 to square hollow sleeve 246 within which is received square shaft 241, the lower end of which is connected by uni- Xversal joint 248 to worm shaft 238. Rotation of,

crank 239 results in tilting the wheels,'and. due

` the wheels and axle.

and adjustment (Sheets 1, 2,

l 4 and 7) Blade 300 (Fig. 1) is mounted on circle 3|5 by beam 3|8, being adjustably secured to end por- Blade mounting tions 3|9, 320 of said beam. The circle is revolvably mounted in a framework including for` wardly converging side bars 342, 343, connected at their rear ends to a suitable cross bar, and

connected intermediate their ends by casting 35|. The circle supporting framework is connected by drawbars 359, 360 (Fig. 1) to the front end of the main frame (Fig. 5) where horizontal portion |5 of U-bracket |4 has a rearwardly extending fork 36| secured thereto. Drawbars 359, 360 converge forwardly to a connection to which they, are bolted. In the connection is a bolt 363 having an apertured head 364 which is connected by pin 365 in fork 36|. Bolt 363can swing in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of pin 365, and, due toA the rounded edges of the aper- 'ture in the head 364 and the wide spacing of the jaws of the fork 36|, bolt 363 is capable of a limited oscillation ,in the vertical plane, as well. The rear ends of the drawbars are pivotally connected to the circle supporting framework as fully disclosed in the above noted application. By reason of these pivotal connections between the drawbars and the circle supporting framework,l

the framework, together with the circle and the blade, can be raised and loweredwith respect to the drawbars, or, in other words, the angle between the drawbars and theplane of the circle can be varied. Also, the drawbars, together with the circle and blade assembly, as a unit, are capable of a limited universal movement about the intersection of the axes of pin 365 and bolt 363 as a center.`

To summarize the movements of adjustment of which the circle iscapable, they are, an arcuate movement in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of pin 365; an arcuate movement in vertical planes containing the axis ofpin 365; oscillation about the axis of bolt 363; a jackknife movement between the circle andthe drawbars; and oscillation ofthe circle about its center. The desired circle adjustment is usually obtained by combinations of 'these movements.

The blade lift includes opposite telescopic links 402, 403 (Figs.,1 and l2) connected to the circle supportingframework and to lift arms 408, 409 on shafts 4|0, 4| Said shafts r,4|0, 4|| are operated through suitable worms and worm wheels in housings 4|3, 4|3 by operating wheels 424, 425.

By manipulation of wheels 424, 425, the operator ,of the circle transversely of the machine or about the center of pin 365; (2) shifting` the circle on its own center, and4 (3) adjusting the plane of the circle with respect to the drawbars.

(1) For shifting the center of the circle, the supporting frame of the circle is adapted to be variously, connected by a link to a rack on the main frame which can be slid transversely of the main frame.' The circle supporting framework is adaptedfor connection to a link 502 (Fig. 2) having a hooked end for connection with apertured 1ug sus, depending from rack sus which is formed for engagement with the flanges of T- (2) For shifting the circle on itscenter, it is lprovided with an arcuate rack secured under-` neath the inwardly extending flange of circle 3|5.

The rack is engaged with a suitable pinion oper ated by means in housing 524 andsuitable shafting.

For adjusting the plane of the circle with respect to the drawbars (Fig. 1) an adjustable connection is provided between Adrawbars 359, 360

and side bars 342, 343, said connection compris' ing a nut and screw operated by telescopic shaft 513, connected by universal joint 515 to shaft 516. The rearend of shaft 516 (Fig. l0) is connected by universal joint 511 tostub shaft 518 which is journaled in housing |52. .Within housing |52 on shaft '518,' is secured gear 519 which can be driven by pinion |54 by shifting pinion |54 into mesh therewith. This is effected by rotating lever 580 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10, lever 580 is pivoted to housing 52 on pin 53|, the lower end of which (Fig. 9) has a short crank 582 integral therewith from which depends -a`pin 583 engaging with grooved collar 584 (Fig. 10) on pinion |54. When pinion |54 is engaged with gear 519, operation of crank |56 adjusts the nut andl screw thereby adjusting the circle with respect to the drawbars. Due to the telescopic shaft 513 and the universal joints, this adjustment can be made in any position of the circle or drawbars.

In the foregoing description, a plurality of ad-` Wheels lare tilted and the rear Wheels are shifted to a position inside the cutting edge or blade.

I, therefore, claim as my invention: y

1. In a road machine, a frame, including two side channels, a plate secured to-the rear ends of said channels, angle extensions secured to the rear ends of` said channels, a cross piece secured to the rear ends of said extensions, a pair of guides on each gf said extensions, an axle comprising an I-beam and angles secured thereto and engaging said guides, brackets secured to the ends ofsaidI-beam and welded to said angles to provide a continuous -flange for cooperation with said guides, bell-cranks pivoted in. said brackets, a bar connecting the upper arms of said bellcranks, and wheels journaled on spindles formed on the lower arms of saidbell-cranks.

2. In a road machine, a frame,.including two side channels, a plate secured to lthe rear ends 1 of said channels, angle extensions secured to the rear ends oi said channels, a cross piece secured to the rear ends of said extensions, a pair of guides on each of said extensions, an axle com,

prising an I-beam and angles secured thereto andl engaging said guides, a rack formed on said shaft journaled in said second housing carrying a second worm gear and a second pinion meshing with sai/d rack on said bar, a fourth shaft journaled in said second housing carrying ya second worm engaging said second worm gear and having a universal connection with an extensible operating linkage.

3. In a road machine, a frame, an axle mounted thereon for lateral displacement with respect thereto, wheels mounted on said axle for simultaneous tilting movement Withrespect thereto, tilting means mounted on said axle and secured for lateral movement therewith as a unit, operating means therefor mounted on said frame, and an extensible connection between said operating means and said tilting means.

4. In a road machine, a frame, an axle laterally displaceable with respectthereto, wheels on said axle, means mounted on said axle and secured for movement therewith as a unit for varying the angular relation between said frame and said wheels, operating means therefor mounted on said frame, and extensible means universally connectedto said varying means and' said operating means.

5. In a road machine, a frame, an axle mounted thereon for lateral displacement with respect thereto, means including a rack and pinion for displacing said axle laterally with respect to said frame, wheels mounted on said axle for simultaneous tilting movement with` respect thereto, tilting means including a parallel linkage mounted on said axle, said tilting means beingV secured for movement as a unit with said axle, operating means therefor mounted on said frame, and an extensible connection between said operating means and said tilting means.

6. In a road machine; a frame; supporting means for said frame shiftable with respect to said frame as a unit and tiltable with respect to said frame comprising anaxle mounted on said frame for shifting movement, and spaced groundengaging members mounted on said axle for said tilting movement; and means for effecting tilting movement of said ground-engaged members in any shifted position of said axle comprising adjusting mechanisml secured to said axle for movement therewith as a unit, operating means on said frame, and flexible shafting connecting said operating means and said adjusting meehanism.

7. In a road machine; a frame; supportingv said frame as a unit and tiltable with respect to said frame comprising an axle mounted on said frame for shifting movement, and spaced groundengaging members mounted on said axle for said tilting movement; and means for effecting simultaneous tilting movement of said ground-engaging members in any shifted position of said axle comprising adjusting mechanism secured to and shiftable as a unit with said axle, operating means mounted in a relatively ixed position on said frame, and extensible telescopic shafting movably connected at one end thereof to said operating means and at the opposite end thereof to said adjusting mechanism.

8. In a road machine, a frame, rear axle means adjustably connected to said frame for endwise movement with respect thereto, ground-engaging supporting means adjustably mounted on said axle means for movement therewith with respect to said frame, means secured to said axle means and movable therewith as a unit for adjusting said supporting means with respect to said axle means, operating means for said adjusting means, means for supporting said operating means on said frame in an elevated position above said axle means, and extensible shafting movably connected to said operating eans andto said adjusting means.

9. In a road machine, a frame, rear axle means adjustably connected to said frame for endwise movement with respect thereto, ground-engaging supporting means adjustably mounted on said axle means for movement therewith with respect to said frame, means secured to said axle means and lmovable therewith as a unit for adjusting said supporting means with respect to said axle means, operating means for said adjusting means, an operators station on said frame, means for supporting said operating means on said frame adjacent said operators station, and extensible shafting movably connected to said operating means and to said adjusting means.

10. In a road machine, a frame, an axle, guide means on said frame connecting said axle thereto for endwise shifting movement, a rack on said axle, means on said frame for shifting said axle with respect to said frame including a gear engaging said rack, opposite bell-cranks pivotally mounted on the ends of said axle and having horizontally and vertically extending arms, ground-engaging wheels journaled on said horizontal arms, a link member pivotally connected adjacent its ends to said vertical arms, an arcuate rack secured to said member and free of any connection with said frame, means secured to and movable as a unit with said axle for tilting said wheels with respect to said frame including a gear engaging said arcuate rack, control means on said frame for said tilting means, and extensible shafting movably connected to said control means and said tilting means forenabling tilting of said wheels in any laterally shifted position of said axle.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON.

y CERTIFICATE oF coRBEcfrioN.

"Panni-.Nm amsn/72o. ,Y April 21, 19:56

CARL AJcUsTAFsoN. Y l

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the` above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: A Page 3, first column, lline 2, for "position shifted" read shifted position; and page 4,

first. column, line 56, claim 6, for groundsengaged" read ground-engaging; fand that the said Letters Patent Should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform tothe record of the case in Athe 'Y Patent Office;

'signed and sealed this 14th day July, A. D; 1956;

(Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

